Schuilplaats, Nederhorst den Berg

English translation

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Description

Cluster 12. Group Shelters Type P.

NEW HOLLAND WATER LINE

see also monument number: 531537

Introduction

GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P as 20th-century, series-built additions to the existing defence. The Group Shelters Type P were built according to more or less uniform or standard design (mainly) in the years 1939-1940 at multiple locations in the Netherlands. The total number of built examples amounts to approximately 700, of which in the New Holland Water Line approximately 570; the majority (approximately 400) of these still exist. The construction programme of the Group Shelters Type P was not completed at the outbreak of the Second World War and it is known of a number of examples that they were never completed. Type P (also called 'the pyramid' because of its distinctive form) is presumably the best-known type of concrete fortification in the Netherlands. The type originated from the so-called VIS 77 (Regulations for the Arrangement of Positions no. 77), from 1928 and had among other purposes the aim of forming part of the defence of a number of new accesses, including especially (motor)roads. The Group Shelter Type P usually came into existence in the immediate vicinity of already existing or simultaneously realised casemates, gun positions, fortifications or trenches. Because the trenches and other (earth)works were subsequently levelled or demolished almost everywhere, the concrete shelters nowadays often lie partly below ground level. The completely closed front or forward side of the Group Shelters Type P was in many cases covered by earthworks which could form part of a glacis for the protection of the trench or a covered way. These earthworks are now mostly no longer present or only barely recognisable, but particularly on forts or in otherwise uneven terrain they are sometimes still present. Numerous examples of Type P were built in inundable areas, where in a number of cases a still-visible pile foundation was applied; in others a projecting foundation plate all around or also a trough against inundation water is visible.

Description

The GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P have been preserved in limited numbers in the northern part of the complex, at the level of Nederhorst den Berg and lie there to the east of the former Reevaart, on the transition to the peat lake area and partly even on so-called settlement dykes. In the southern part of the complex several examples lie in a clear linear relationship along and in the vicinity of the eastern Vecht embankments and dykes between the settlements of Overmeer and Vreeland. The shelters are one storey high and, usually in reinforced concrete approximately 100 to 180 cm thick, and formed a shell-proof military shelter that could provide protection for 10-12 infantrymen/artillerymen, with protection class W 12-15 or W 21-28. In the Eastern Front most belong to the heaviest class. Group Shelters Type P were built on a rectangular ground plan, with dimensions ranging from approximately 5.50 x 7.20 x 4.70 m to 6.50 x 8.20 x 4.90 m (w x d x h). The visible height above ground level, however, varies. Both blind side facades and the throat side are executed vertically to approximately 3 m height. Above that these facades bend inward at approximately 45 degrees, then transition to a flat roof. On the right in the throat side at locally varying height above ground level is an (later either sealed or not) usually square entrance opening. The completely vertical, closed front side reflects the 45-degree angles and thus ends as a 'truncated pointed gable'. In a number of cases iron hooks or brackets were cast into the facade(s) which could serve to attach camouflage material. A characteristic component on top of the Type P shelter is the conical concrete 'exhaust', which was intended for the application of a periscope. However, these periscopes were in practice rarely or never installed. The interior of the Group Shelters Type P consists of a short passage (usually with a concrete retaining wall or balustrade and usually a few descending steps) and from there a 'lock' directed to the left which had to be sealable by a (consisting of several parts) heavy steel door with bolts. Via a second, similar door a rear, almost square space could be reached to the right, the actual shelter. The entrance could be covered from this space by a rifle loophole. However, the steel doors were rarely or never installed and the entrances were later often sealed with brick and plastered. The ceilings at approximately two metres above floor level are flat and rectangular. In a number of cases interior components are still present, such as (remains of) wooden benches or a support for the firearm for covering the entrance.

Valuation

The GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P are of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Holland Water Line as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially constructed from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and Major-Engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently strengthened and improved by others over approximately 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic building, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th and 20th century), b. the race with increasingly powerful offensive means (20th century) c. the system of 'living' field fortification in depth (20th century)

These are components from the period 1939-1940. These components are examples of reinforced concrete personnel shelters (Type P / Pyramid).

* Ensemble value and situational values as components of the New Holland Water Line and because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex.

* The components are representative (characteristic) because they are clearly recognisable as a component of a dispersed defensive line added to the existing fortification system.

* The components are fairly well-preserved and can still be easily recognised as built components in the field.